The last issue of our newsletter for 2012 brings to you the key education findings and policy directions emerging from recent OECD analysis
in a single accessible free source.

OECD Education Today… and tomorrow
Education is for life, not just for the classroom. Indeed, some of the most important skills for life
and learning may be acquired before, after and outside school. As reflected in this report’s different chapters, we follow a “lifelong” approach to education and training.

This report presents the main OECD findings from early childhood through to secondary, vocational or tertiary education. But it does not stop there, older people can adapt and keep learning, and it includes policy directions for co-ordinating system-level policies for effective adult learning, especially engaging at-risk groups.
This will prove to be an invaluable resource for all those interested in the broad international picture of education, as well as for those wanting to know more about OECD work in this important domain.

News roundup

Thomas Alexander Fellowship ProgrammeDo you have an idea about how to improve quality and equity in education in your country or region? The OECD’s new Thomas J. Alexander Fellowship Programme could give you the time and support you need to conduct research on that idea. Application is open until 23h59 21 December 2012 Paris time.

Skills beyond School
Two Skills Beyond School commentaries have been published for Israel and Spain summarising the strengths and challenges in their systems. A review on Switzerland will be published in January 2013.

OECD Skills Strategy events
Lessons from experience in designing and implementing Nordic skills policies were discussed in Paris on
22 October 2012. The UK Skills Minister opened the UKCES-OECD workshop on “Employer Ownership: Strengthening Partnerships to Enhance Skills Investment” on 16 September 2012, and launched the second round of the Employer Ownership Pilot.

OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment
in EducationThe latest country reviews on Luxembourg and Mexico are now available, with further reports forthcoming on the Slovak Republic, Chile and the UK (Northern Ireland). The Final Synthesis Report from the OECD Review on Evaluation and Assessment Frameworks for Improving School Outcomes will be published in February 2013.

Education Today 2013:
The OECD Perspective
This report provides key findings and policy directions on early childhood education, schooling, transitions beyond initial education, higher education, adult learning, outcomes and returns, equity, and innovation. Each entry highlights the main message with a brief explanation and reference to the original OECD source.